I doubt that Fed's decision will change BMW's thinking on price. Fed meets often, and they mess with the interest rates all the time, so I don't see how a company can base product pricing on a monthly decison associated with a variable that fluctuates.

I agree - but they will have a view on the EUR/USD w/ the associated likely 'rate spread / level of hedging that BMW AG will place over the next 12 - 24m.

we have to do something to keep ourselves occupied. God forbid we think about anything else..

(In advance, this is only a joke)

This just in.... BMW is going against their normal tendencies, and is going to have some fun with us. At the end of the Top Gear TV episode featuring the M3, C63, and RS4 on 12/16/07, Tiff's going to open the glove box of the M3 and the price will be on an 8-1/2 x 11 piece of paper ..... $57,990.

MSRP means about as much on the M coupe as it does on the Chevy Suburban. The factory-to-dealer incentive on it is $7500. People are driving off the lot for $44k out the door on them. Look at the Zpost threads.

That's all very possible, but we are discussing the MSRP of the E92 M3 here, not how much you might be able to buy it for once the hype dies down.

I don't expect that to be the end of heightened volatility. It's relevant to the discussion as in 1H 2008 add in more negative housing wealth effects, a slower economy, more lay-offs in financial services and some stock downside for 'good' measure then this is a tougher pricing environment for high-end cars like the M3.

You can bet BMW AG would take '99 to launch a model like this over '08 (throwing in the USD as well...)

...which would be a solid month after orders are in and another month before the cars arrive; great. It pisses me off that they want everyone to place their orders without knowing price. Has any major car company done this in the past? What's worse (I'm guilty of it too) is that we're playing into it.

I guess waiting for the price is splitting up my anticipation. Sucks to think about it like this but it gives me something to do instead of worrying how far out US delivery is. I guess I am not too worried about price now with all the clues that MSRP won't be as ridiculous as previously speculated (hoping-never know).